Marymount University
Marymount University
10/07/2024 | News release | Archived content
What Can I Do With a Master’s in Counseling
What Can I Do With a Master's in Counseling?
Posted on July 10, 2024 (August 2, 2024) byJaime Gaona
If you already have an undergraduate degree in counseling or a related field, you might be considering an advanced degree as a means of furthering your knowledge and expanding your skill set. Specifically, a master's in counseling program can help you build the foundation for a wide range of career options, ranging from "traditional" career trajectories to alternative paths.
Have you wondered, "What can I do with a master's in counseling?" Here, you can explore a number of potential career paths, as well as some practical tips for pursuing your master's degree.
Exploring Career Paths With a Master's in Counseling
When it comes to master's in counseling careers, there are so many possibilities to choose from. However, to reach your full potential in this discipline, it's crucial to specialize and hone your knowledge as much as possible.
The Importance of Specialization in Your Counseling Career
Within the field of counseling specifically, choosing a specialization makes it possible to custom-tailor your counseling career toward the issues, populations, therapeutic approaches, and topics most important to you. This could lead to a more fulfilling and focused professional trajectory.
How Specializations Shape Career Opportunities
There are many ways in which specializations can open doors to distinct career paths while allowing you to really pursue your professional interests. Some examples of common specializations in counseling include:
- Clinical mental health counseling
- Marriage and family therapy
- School counseling
The Journey to Becoming a Counselor
So, what exactly does it take to become a counselor? Ultimately, this will depend on the specific type of role you wish to pursue. Generally, there are a number of educational, licensing, and certification requirements necessary before you can become a practicing counselor.
Educational Requirements and Accreditation
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a master's degree is generally considered to be the entry-level education required to work as a counselor. Getting into a master's in counseling program will come with specific admission requirements as well. This typically includes completing the GRE, submitting a personal statement, and submitting academic transcripts from a completed undergraduate program.
When choosing a master's degree program in counseling, selecting one that is accredited by a reputable governing body is also critical to ensuring that you receive an education that aligns with industry standards and best practices.
Licensing and Certification Processes
To become certified as a counselor, you will also need to take and pass the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) examination. From there, specific licensing requirements can vary from state to state. That being said, it's important to do your research and understand the requirements in the specific state where you plan to practice.
Traditional Career Trajectories in Counseling
There are a number of established master's in counseling careers that you can pursue with a master's degree, ranging from social worker roles to leadership positions.
Leadership Positions in the Field of Counseling
If you aspire to lead others, consider any of the various leadership roles available in the counseling field. Some examples include:
- Clinical director
- Program manager
- Counseling supervisor
Typically, these roles require not just a master's degree, but several years of experience in a counseling or similar role. Still, this can be a goal worth working toward if you're passionate about counseling and leading others.
Licensed Counselor
Licensed counselors are professionals who have completed the license and certification requirements in their respective state to serve any number of populations, ranging from individuals and couples to families and other groups.
Social Worker
Social workers play a unique and essential role in the counseling field, serving as advocates for underrepresented populations. From coordinating resources to providing support services to individuals and communities, the job of a social worker can be challenging yet extremely rewarding.
College Counseling
College counselors typically work on college or university campuses. They may provide anything from basic academic advising to career counseling and even mental health support for college students.
Community Health Employee
Community health employees are responsible for providing critical support services to individuals and groups within community settings. They may also put their knowledge to work to address public health issues and promote wellness within the communities they serve.
Residential Counseling
Residential counselors typically work within residential facilities, including long-term care facilities and similar locations. These professionals provide therapeutic support and daily living assistants to residents of these communities who may have very diverse needs and challenges.
Chemical Dependency Counseling
Chemical dependency counselors are highly specialized professionals who work with individuals who are struggling specifically with substance abuse. These professionals may offer individual or group counseling, as well as relapse prevention and support throughout the challenging recovery process.
Victim Advocacy Counselor
Victim advocacy counselors play a critical role in providing support, resources, and advocacy services to individuals who have been victims of crime, trauma, or abuse. They help these individuals navigate the challenges they face and connect them with necessary services to aid in their recovery.
Employee Assistance Program Counselor
EAP counselors are responsible for providing confidential support and counseling services to employees who may be facing personal or work-related challenges. They help employees manage stress, improve their well-being, and maintain productivity at work.
Alternative Careers With a Master's in Counseling
If you're interested in doing something a little less traditional with your master's degree in counseling, there are a number of other careers with a master's in counseling where you can leverage your skills and knowledge.
Health Educator
Health educators design and implement health promotion programs within communities while educating individuals and groups about healthy behaviors. Often, these educators are also advocates for policies that improve health outcomes within their communities.
Career or Life Coach Counselor
These professionals work with individuals to help them identify and achieve their personal and professional goals. Many counseling professionals find success in career and life coaching because they can apply their advocacy and support skills to this line of work.
Researcher
A number of counselors also go on to become researchers who may conduct studies on mental health, human behavior, or even the effectiveness of certain counseling programs and methods.
Human Resources
Counseling skills can also be applicable to human resources roles. This is especially true when it comes to handling things like employee relations, conflict resolution, and training/development in the workplace.
Healthcare Writing
Some counselors also go on to find success in writing careers. These professionals may be responsible for developing educational materials, creating resources for patients, and even writing grant proposals.
Training and Development
Counselors can also design and deliver their own training programs across a wide range of settings, including schools, businesses, and community organizations. These programs can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each audience, enhancing their effectiveness and impact.
Mediator
It is not uncommon for those with a counseling background to find work in mediation. These professionals utilize counseling techniques to facilitate conflict resolution and negotiation between two parties. For example, mediators are often brought in to help handle disputes during a divorce or in child custody battles.
Crisis Hotline Counselor
Crisis hotline counselors provide critical and immediate support/intervention to individuals during times of crisis. This line of work can be extremely challenging from an emotional perspective, but it can also be very rewarding for those who enjoy helping others overcome difficult times in their own lives.
Where Do Counselors Traditionally Work?
One of the most appealing aspects of working as a counselor is the fact that these professionals have the freedom and ability to work in such a wide range of settings. Some examples of settings where counselors typically work include schools, private practices, government agencies, hospitals, non-profit organizations, and community centers.
Understanding the Financial Aspect of a Counseling Career
Another common question many people have when considering counseling as a career path is what kind of money they can expect to make in this line of work. Ultimately, salary expectations for counselors can vary greatly based on a number of factors, including location and specific role and job title.
Salary Expectations Across Different Specializations
Different types of counseling require different skills and knowledge, so pay can vary based on the specialization you pursue and how much experience you have. For reference, the median pay for a school and career counselor in 2023 was $61,710 per year. Meanwhile, marriage and family counselors make closer to $58,510 per year based on BLS data.
Impact of Location and Setting on Earnings
Geographical location, employer type, and level of experience are just a few examples of the other factors that can affect a counselor's salary. For instance, areas with a higher cost of living are likely to offer higher pay to counseling professionals. In the interim, private practices and government agencies may offer very different salaries for similar work. You may also expect to receive a higher salary if you have many years of experience working in the field compared with a counselor in an entry-level role.
Evaluating the Worth of a Master's in Counseling
Still wondering whether a master's degree in counseling is right for you? There are a lot of things to consider, ranging from your own sense of personal fulfillment in this line of work to potential financial rewards, long-term career prospects, and more.
Personal Fulfillment vs. Financial Rewards
Take some time to reflect on your own personal values and priorities and be sure to focus on the emotional rewards that you could gain from helping others and making a real difference in people's lives.
From there, balance the importance of that personal fulfillment with the kind of lifestyle you wish to lead. Counselors may not always be the top earners, but they can still enjoy respectable salaries that provide a comfortable living.
Long-Term Career Prospects and Job Security
Finally, think about the potential growth in demand that can lead to a heightened sense of job security. BLS data notes that the job outlook for family and marriage counselors alone is expected to grow 15 percent between 2022 and 2032. If you're looking for a career path with relatively high demand expected in the next decade, counseling could be right for you.
Ready to Pursue Your Master's in Counseling?
If you're wondering "What can I do with a master's in counseling?" it's clear that the possibilities are sky high. Whether you're interested in a more traditional role or want to explore less conventional careers in counseling, a master's degree could help you expand your career opportunities and explore your interests.
At Marymount University, we offer both a master of Arts in Counseling and a master's in Mental Health Counseling, so you can weigh your options and consider which program may best suit your interests and professional goals. Looking specifically for an online degree program? Our clinical mental health counseling degree is available both on-campus and online.
Learn more about Marymount University's master's in counseling programs by getting in touch today. Likewise, you can start your online application to get the ball rolling on your educational journey.
Sources
https://marymount.edu/academics/counseling/master-of-arts-in-counseling/
https://marymount.edu/academics/counseling/master-of-arts-in-counseling/clinical-mental-health/
https://marymount.edu/about-mu/
https://info.marymount.edu/apply-to-marymount
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/school-and-career-counselors.htm
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/marriage-and-family-therapists.htm